Backlash over a senator’s tweet about the blaze at Old Parliament House has grown amid a major development with the fire.
Backlash over a Greens senator tweeting that the fire at Old Parliament House seemed like the “colonial system burning” has grown as police announced a taskforce to investigate the blaze.
The Australian Federal Police will now lead a joint investigation with ACT Policing to identify protesters responsible for the fire that engulfed the front doors of the historic Canberra building.
“The establishment of the taskforce, which will build on investigations that began immediately yesterday, underscores the zero tolerance authorities have for violence, destruction of property and assaulting police,” the AFP said in a statement.
“A number of other state and commonwealth offences are also being investigated, including arson, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment and incitement, which carries a sentence of up to seven years’ imprisonment.”
ACT Policing on Thursday said a smoking ceremony was permitted before it got out of control, with a witness reporting he then heard someone chant “let it burn”.
After the fire was extinguished Greens senator Lidia Thorpe tweeted: “Seems like the colonial system is burning down. Happy New Year everyone AlwayswasAlwayswillBeAboriginalLand.”
Outrage continued to grow over the quickly deleted tweet on Friday, with Liberal senator James Paterson calling on Greens leader Adam Bandt to condemn it.
“If a Liberal said something half as bad as this Adam Bandt would be the first to call for their head,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“So where is he and what has he done?
“Even the Greens should be able to unconditionally condemn arson and vandalism of such an important symbol of Australian democracy.”
Opposition health spokesperson Mark Butler said Senator Thorpe “crossed a line”.
“Lidia Thorpe and the Australian Greens yesterday crossed a line, they absolutely crossed a line,” he said.
“It was an outrageous, disgusting level of support given to what appears to be a criminal act, an act of vandalism at the very least, against the Old Parliament House.
“She should be utterly ashamed of herself.
“And Adam Bandt today needs to stand up and be very clear with the Australian people what action he is taking to distance the Australian Greens from a position that they appear to have taken yesterday.”
Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt said Senator Thorpe’s comments showed “callous disregard”.
“The comments Senator Thorpe made on Twitter yesterday show a callous disregard for the institutions she has sworn to represent – and disregard for the privileged position she holds and derives benefits from as a Victorian senator,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“It is incumbent on all elected representatives to encourage debate in a tolerant and respectful manner free from violence. This is how we walk together towards a more unified and reconciled future.”
Mr Bandt – who tweeted the fire at Old Parliament House was terrible – and Senator Thorpe were contacted for comment.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy has condemned protesters’ actions.
A spokesman on Friday told NCA NewsWire that they would be meeting on Sunday to formally address what happened.
He said they had also spoken to the AFP to demand a “just and thorough investigation”.
“The circumstances that led to this situation must be put into question,” he said.
“Such as why did the ACT Police allow such a demonstration to take place without a proper risk assessment plan or strategy in place?
“Additionally, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy wishes to address ‘neo-Nazi anti-vax freedom-fighting sovereign citizens’ who are asserting their cause within the Aboriginal sovereignty movement at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.”
Originally published as Greens leader Adam Bandt remains silent over senator Lidia Thorpe’s tweet
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